Family Introductions
You are here:Bringing your puppy home
Welcoming your new puppy to their ‘fur-ever’ home is a wonderful moment for everyone, but can also be overwhelming for family members – not just those with paws! We hope our guide and tips below will help make this a memorable and loving experience for you all whilst your puppy is adjusting and learning to settle in their new home.
TOP TIP: Introduce new family members one by one. Your puppy could become overwhelmed easily with lots of new faces to lick!
CHILDREN
The two most excitable members in the household are bound to create a wonderful unique bond. However, it is best for their first meeting to be kept calm and gentle. Introduce children to your new pup one by one and on the floor. Your puppy will make its own way over to their new sibling for a cuddle. It’s a good idea to keep puppy on the ground – creating the rule that only adults are allowed to pick up your puppy. This will remove the risk of any accidents.
If you are expecting another baby (this time a hooman one!) read our tips here on how to welcome and introduce your puppy to your new baby.
OTHER ANIMALS
Your resident pet may feel threatened with your cute new puppy taking all the attention away from them in their own home. This introduction in particular is vital not to rush. Have plenty of your pet’s favourite treats on hand and reinforce both parties regularly. It’s recommended to keep your puppy on a house line and it’s best your puppy doesn’t initiate chase to start things off!
A good tip is to take one of your resident pet’s blankets with you in the car on gotcha day, so your puppy can familiarise themselves with their new furry sibling.
For top tips for introducing your puppy to your older dog read here. Need to welcome your puppy to a resident furry feline? Read these cat introduction tips from the Cat’s Protection.
Keep an eye on body language
Always keep an eye out on your puppy’s body language, it’s their way of communicating what they are feeling. To learn more read our top tips from our guest behaviourist Lucy Procter.
TOP TIPS FOR PET INTRODUCTIONS:
- Only adults pick up puppy
- Supervise at all times
- Keep treats close by
- Keep voices calm
- Consider other pets
- Read all body language
NOW ALL THE MEETS AND GREETS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO GET ORGANISED WITH YOUR PUPPY’S HEALTH PLAN.
HAPPY PUPPY – HAPPY HOUSE!
